TWO Worcester schools have been recognised by the Specialist School and Academies Trust (SSAT) for adding value to students' GCSE achievements.

Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College and Nunnery Wood High School were among 518 schools invited to attend a celebratory dinner in London.

Commenting on the schools' achievements, Eliz-abeth Reid, chief executive of the SSAT, said: "I would like to congratulate these schools for their outstanding ach-ievement in adding value to their students' results. It is important that we recognise success in the education system as it is the product of hard work, good leadership and innovative approaches to teaching and learning, but most of all because it means more young people are succeeding and realising their potential. The access to and effective use of data is one of the most important tools with which school leaders can raise standards.

"It will play a central role in ensuring we meet the Prime Minister's target that every school has at least 30 per cent of their pupils achieving at least five good GCSEs including English and maths by 2011."

The criteria for schools to be eligible for the award is that they must be specialist and have been designated in 2006, or earlier; they must be affiliated to the SSAT; and they must be a comprehensive or modern school.